Bathtub and bathtub drain structure



Nov. 8, 1966 ca. M MURTRIE ETAL 3,

BATHIUB AND BATHTUB DRAIN STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 22, 1963 TOR Marla/'4 fl" lldif/ er For I) e .1. I

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erf m dWard/Id/f s M MURTRIE EI'AL BATHTUB AND BATHTUB DRAIN STRUCTURE Nov. 8, 1966 Filed July 22, 1963 Nov. 8, 1966 G. M MURTRIE ET'AL 3,283,340

BATHTUB AND BATHTUB DRAIN STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 22, 1965 I v NTORS 17.907 07/ Paber/IW/l/am dye/ EdrdrdIVa/frr For I; W 78.41:

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BATHTUB AND BATHTUB DRAIN STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 22, 1963 "IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII llfllll III/Ill "IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII/ NTORS Fig. 6.

Nov. 8, 1966 e. McMURTRlE ETAL 3,

BATHTUB AND BATHTUB DRAIN STRUCTURE Filed July 22, 1963 5 Sheet s-Sheet 5 Patented Nov. 8, 1966 BATHTUB AND BATIITUB DRAIN STRUCTURE Gilbert McMurtrie and Robert William Nagel, Louisville,

Ky., and Edward Walter Forth, New Canaan, Comb,

assignors to American Radiator & Standard Sanitary Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed July 22, 1963, Ser. No. 296,570 1 Claim. (Cl. 4-173) This invention relates to a bathing fixture assembly and particularly to an arrangement for a bathroom which includes a bathtub, shower and drain components therefor and a method for facilitating its installation.

In the practice followed heretofore in installing bathtubs, there has been considerable work involved not only in connecting the tub but also in supporting the same and joining the adjacent walls therewith. In addition, the connections, after installation, are frequently no longer accessible.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bathtub shower assembly which can be installed quickly and which reduces the amount of onsite labor and time required for its installation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bathtub which is supported above the bathroom floor and on which a prefabricated drain conduit is carried and supported by the bathtub.

Another object is to provide a bathtub having a drain outlet located generally centrally of the longitudinal ends thereof and to provide drain outlet plumbing which is readily accessible.

Another object is to provide a bathtub unit assembly having an integral trap and overflow and drain lines.

Another object is to provide a bathtub having a drain outlet, overflow outlet and a manually operable drain stopper to one side of a generally centralarea of the longitudinal portion of the bathtub.

Another object is to provide an outlet fitting for a longitudinally central drain outlet of a bathtub which incorporates a trap and which is adapted to receive the operating mechanism of a remotely operated drain stopper.

Another object is to provide an outlet fitting for a longitudinally central drain outlet of a bathtub which is adapted to receive overflow from the bathtub and which has an accessible outlet and cleanout conduit extending generally longitudinally in front of the bathtub.

Another object is to provide a bathtub having a generally central drain outlet thereby providing for left hand or right hand installation.

Another object is to provide a prefabricated frame for supporting a bathtub above a bathroom floor.

Another object is to provide a prefabricated panel supported by the bathtub to form a wall around the area above the bathtub.

Another object is to provide a prefabricated bathroom tub and shower recess.

Other objects and features of the invention will appear as the description of the particular physical embodiment selected to illustrate the invention progresses.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a bathtub constructed according to the present invention before the prefabricated plumbing has been installed.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation thereof looking along the line 22 of FIGURE 1 in the direction of the arrows.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional elevation looking along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a partial sectional view of means for supporting the bathtub of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective schematic view showing the bathtub and associated components before the bathtub is installed.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional elevation taken through a central transverse portion of the bathtub at the drain outlet and through the prefabricated plumbing thereat.

FIGURE 7 is a partial view, partly broken away, looking along the line 7--7 of FIGURE 6 in the direction of the arrows.

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of the bathtub drain outlet fitting showing in FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 9 is a section taken along the line 9-9 of FIGURE 8 looking in the direction of the arrows together with a partial View through the stopper operating rod assembly screwed into the drain fitting.

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a prefabricated wall adapted to be mounted above the bathtub.

FIGURE 11 is a partial persepective view of the panel of FIGURE 10 and the bathtub showing means on the bathtub for supporting the panel.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrange ment of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring to FIGURES l to 3 a bathtub 10 is shown as comprising a bottom wall 12, side walls 14 and 16, and end walls 18 and 20. The bottom wall 12 slopes toward a drain outlet opening 22 located generally centrally of the longitudinal length of the bathtub and generally to the front or outward side thereof. The bathtub unit assembly 10 may be made of enameled steel or other suitable materials.

In order to support the bathtub 10 above the floor 24 means are provided along the sides of the bathtub to engage a suitable adjacent support structure.

In the bathtub shown in FIGURES 1 to 3 such means of support are shown as comprising downwardly depending flanges 26 and 28 (FIGURE 2) extending from the end walls 18 and 20 respectively, and a similar downwardly depending flange 30 (FIGURE 3) extending from the rear wall 16. These flanges 26, 28 and 30 are adapted to fit into a suitable channel of a support structure extending partially around the bathtub. FIGURE 4 for example shows the flange 30 being supported in a support upright 32 having a channel defined by a Z section 34 along a side thereof for receiving the flange 30.

As shown in FIGURE 5 a support structure 31 is formed in a general U-shaped configuration in perspective view, to conform to the general outline of the bathtub. Thus the bathtub 10 may be slid into the open portion of the U so that the flanges 26 and 28 will slide in Z sections 33, 34 respectively until the rear bathtub flange 30 engages Z sections 35 and 36. It can be seen therefore, that the bathtub will be supported above the floor 24 by the three bathtub flanges 26, 28 and 30.

There is also extending from the front or side wall 14 of the bathtub an extension 36 (FIGURE 3) having a generally horizontal flange portion 38 and a generally vertical flange portion 40. The extension 36 extends the longitudinal length of the bathtub 10 and provides a means, along with a front panel 41 and a kick plate 42 (FIGURE 5), both to be further described hereinafter, for enclosing the front of the bathtub unit assembly. A

longitudinal central portion of the extension 36 is provided with an indentation '46 which is used for receiving overflow water from the bathtub and for receiving the operating handle 44 of a remotely operated bathtub drain stopper, both to be further described hereinafter.

The downwardly extending flange 40 of the extension 36 is provided with means for securing the panel 41 thereto, the panel 41 in turn cooperating, with the kick plate 42 therebelow and with the downwardly depending flange 40 as previously set forth herein, to form a com-.

plete frontal enclosure for the bathtub. The panel 41 is detachably connected to the downwardly depending flange 40 'by suitable means such as resilient clips '48 which fit into openings 50 along a lower indented ridge 52 of the flange 40. The removable panel 41 provides access to the drain system for adjustment or servicing. The panel 41 may have perforations such as at 54 therein to provide for circulation of air around the bathtub.

The kick plate 42 has a bottom edge 56 which rests on the bathroom floor 24 while the upper edge. 58 fits into an indentation in the lower edge portion of the panel 41, whereby upon pulling the panel tab member ,60, the

resilient clip 48 will be forced through the openings 50 as the bottom of the panel 41 pivots on the upper edge 58 of the kick plate 42 thus making the panel 41 readily removable. The space between the front of the bathtub and the flange 40, panel 41, and kick plate 42 allows suificient room for a heating unit (not shown) to be installed for furnishing heat for the bathroom making possible a warm tub. The kick plate 42 is attached to suitably supported stud heads 42a by means of slots 42b in the kick plate 42, thereby making the kick plate removable. The studheads 42a may extend from the framework surrounding the bathtub.

With the bottom wall 12 of the bathtub 10 carried at a suflicient height above the bathroom floor 24, it is possible to provide a drain trap above the elevation of the floor 24.. In the present invention the trap is incorporated into a drain fitting 62 which serves to receive overflow water from the bathtub and to receive an operating mechanism for remotely operating a drain stopper. As best can be seen in FIGURE 6, the drain fitting 62 is provided with a U-shaped conduit portion 64 which has one end suitably connected to the tub drain outlet 22. It will be noted that one leg 66 of the U-shaped conduit portion 64 extends beneath the tub drain outlet 22 while another leg 68 extends generally vertically at the side of the bathtub. The upper end of the leg 68 is provided with a T-shaped portion 70 (FIGURE 8) such that a drain line 71 (FIGURES 2, 3, and extending generally longitudinally of the bathtub may be connected to either end 72 or 74 of the head of the T-shaped portion 70, while a cap or cleanout plug 76 may be provided at an opposite end. Thus the bathtub is adaptable for right or left hand installation.

Means are provided for connecting the drain fitting 62 to the bathtub outlet opening 22 with a watertight seal. Such means is shown in FIGURE 6 as comprising flared bushing 78 having external threads thereon for engaging internal threads of the outlet fitting. Suitable sealing means such as a rubber ring 80 is provided between the bathtub and the drain fitting 62 so that when the bushing 78 is threaded into the drain fitting 62 the sealing ring 80- will be compressed therebetween to provide the, seal. The flared portion of the bushing bears against the inside of the bathtub to force the drain fitting 62 up against the bathtub as thethread is made.

A drain stopper 82 is carried in the bushing 78 and has a suitable sealing surface 84 which cooperates with the flared portion of the bushing 78 to prevent water from draining from the bathtub when the stopper 82 is in a lowered position. Suitable means, to be further described upper portion of the bathtub. The drain fitting 62 is provided with openings such as at 108 which receives 1 overflow water from the bathtub 10 and directs it to the hereinafter, are provided for remotely operating the stopper 82 between an upper open position and a lower closed position.

provided with an integral elbow 88 extending to the side of the bathtub having an opening 90 for receiving the lower end of the overflow tube 86 while suitable means such as a rubber ring 92 may be provided therebetween to maintain a watertight seal.

The upper portion of the overflow tube 86 is also con-.

nected to the bathtub 10 with a watertight seal. Such a seal is shown in FIGURES 6 and 7 as comprising a seal member, such as a rubber washer 98, which fits around the inlet opening of the overflow tube 86 while threaded screws 94 and 96 pass through openings 99, 100 (FIG-.

URE 1) in the bathtub at either side of the underlying overflow tube inlet opening to engage suitable threaded openings in the overflow tube 86 adjacent to the inlet opening thereof. The screws 94 and 96 force the over.-

flow tube 86 up against the bottom of the bathtub indentation 46 to hold and support it there and to compress the washer 98 therebetween to provide the watertight seal. It will be noted that the lower portion of the overflow tube 86 may slide in the opening 90 of the elbow-88 1 when the screws 94 and 96 are taken up without effecting the lower watertight seal of the overflow tube.

A housing or escutcheon 102 fits into. the indentation 46 of the bathtub and is secured thereto by fastening means such as the screws 104,106. The housing 102 is inlet of the overflow tube 86. Whereas the portion (FIGURE 7) of the escutcheon 102 receiving the overflow water is generally hollow, a portion 112 adjacent thereto forms an open cavity for receiving the operating handle 44 of a remotely operated stopper mechanism.

The operating handle 44 is connected to a rod 114 (FIGURE 7) which in turn is adjustably connected to a lever 116 by adjusting means such as a thumb screw 118 and a U-shaped end portion 121 on the lever 116 having openings for slidably receiving the rod 114 whereby when the thumb screw 118 is tightened the rod 114 and lever 116 are locked together.

Adjustably carried at the lower end portion of the.

lever 116 is a rod whichextends into an opening 122 (FIGURES 8 and 9) in the drain fitting 62 for operating the stopper between open and closed positions. A pivot boss 123 ion the end of the lever 116 receives the rod 120 to provide for flexibility of up and down movement of the lever 116 and rod 120. As can best be seen 7 in FIGURES 8 and 9 the opening 122 through which the rod 120 passes is provided within an inclined integral conduit 124 extending from the side of the leg or conduit portion 66 of the drain fitting underlying the bathtub drain outlet 22.

The centerline of the conduit portion 66 intersectsthe centerline of the conduit 124 so that the rod 120 may The conduit 124 is provided with internal.

129 against the ball 123a to prevent any leakage there-' between as the rod 120is pivoted. A gasket 131 and adjusting nut 133 is provided to secure the ball within the center piece 121.

A washer 135 may also be provided between the center piece 121 and the drain fitting 62 to provide a watertight seal therebetween.

As the operating handle 44 is moved up and down, the rod 120 which extends beneath the stopper 82 will be pivoted to operate same between open and closed positions.

Above the bathtub around the rear side and two transverse ends thereof, there is provided a plurality of or a single prefabricated panel 128 (see FIGURES 4 and 10) which is supported on an upwardly extending flange such as shown at 130 in FIGURE 11. The upwardly extending flange extends around the rear and two transverse ends along the upper rim of the bathtub 10.

The panel 128 eliminates the requirement of having to provide a plaster or other type wall around the upper reaches of the bathtub 10 while it is particularly adaptable for cooperation with the framework used for supporting the tub 10 to provide a prefabricated bathroom recess.

The panel 128 is provided with suitable openings for the shower head, bathtub faucet and for the control valves thereof. The opening 132 illustrating for example, the opening for a mixing control valve (not shown) which may be used both for controlling the flow of hot and cold water to a shower head and the bathtub faucet (both not shown). The openings 133 and 137 are for the bathtub faucet and shower heads respectively.

A water seal is provided between the lower edges of the panel 128 and the upwardly extending flange 130. Thus the panel 128 may be set with a vinyl cushion serving as the water seal and the seal is completed by forcing the panel 128 over the upwardly extending flange of the tub 130 wherein a sealing strip 131 is provided to form a watertight seal between the flange 130 and the panel 128. Where a plurality of walls is used instead of the single panel 128, a retaining cap-strip may be provided secured to the supporting frame at the top of the recess 130. Since the tub 10 is supported from the structure 31 (FIGURE 5), precision of dimension is provided to permit the various screw holes to match. The wall panel above the bathtub may be plastic, aluminum sheeting, or other wall coverings and it may be designed to hold ceramic tile, wallpaper, or plastic. In the illustration shown in FIGURE 4, the wall panel is made from sheet aluminum which is coated on one side with a single coating and on the other side with a foamed plastic material 133a to provide rigidity, insulation and sound deadening. The vinyl coating provides a sanitary, easily cleaned surface.

A suitable hand railing 134 is attached to the panel 128 as shown in FIGURE 10. The panel 128 may be prefabricated so that it may be fitted onto the channels 134) of the bathtub 10 to thereby facilitate construction and installation of the bathroom recess. The handrail 134 may be suitably attached to the prefabricated panel and spaced therefrom by the supports 135 before it is shipped to rigidify same thereby tending to reduce the possibility of damage to the panel 128 during transit. A removable snapdn soap dish 136 may be provided in the panel 128 as shown in FIGURE 10.

The bathtub 10, the drain 62, the drain pipe 71, the overflow tube 86, the operating mechanism for the stopper, the escutcheon, and various associated components and interconnections therebetween may be shipped in prefabricated condition to facilitate installation of the bathtub. Accordingly, brackets 138 and 138a extending from external corner edges of the bathtub to support the drain pipe 71 are provided. The brackets 138 and 138a are suitably attached to the tub 10 such as by welding in the case where the tub 10 is made of steel. The prefabricated drain line 71 is shipped with the bathtub and is connected to a suitable drain line in the building in which it is to be installed. The drain line 71 may be supported by the bracket 138 or 138a depending on whether a right or left hand outlet is desired.

The panel 128 is easily installed at the building site by fitting the lower edge thereof over the flange 130 while the upper edge is attached to the frame by a moulding.

From the above description it can be seen that the bathtub of the present invention may be readily installed in a building with a minimum amount of time and cost. The drain plumbing is prefabricated and connected to the bathtub in left hand or right hand arrangement before it is shipped and such plumbing is readily accessible after the bathtub has been installed. A drain fitting provided with the bathtub, serves as a trap and receives overflow water and an operating mechanism for a remotely operated drain stopper. The bathtub is supported above the floor and is provided with a drain outlet and an operating handle at a central longitudinal portion of the tub. The bathtub supports the drain outlet fitting, the drain piping, and a prefabricated panel above the bathtub.

The invention hereinabove described may be varied in construction Within the scope of the claim, for the particular device selected to illustrate the invention is but one of many possible embodiments of the same. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted to the precise details of the structure shown and described.

What is claimed is:

A bathtub structure comprising an elongated tub body portion including a bottom wall, end and side walls, a drain opening in the bottom wall of the tub close to the outer side wall thereof and substantially at the longitudinal center of the tub, a drain fitting and trap disposed beneath the bottom wall and outer side wall of the tub and having a first vertical leg directly connected to said drain opening, a horizontal outwardly extending trap portion and a second vertical leg outwardly of the outer tub side wall and rising above said horizontal portion and having its top near the elevation of the tub bottom wall, a T-fitting on the top of the second vertical leg adapted for connection at either end thereof to a drain pipe extending longitudinally of the tub outwardly of the outer side wall and near the bottom Wall of the tub, a plug element for one end of the T-fitting facilitating cleaning out said drain fitting and trap, 21 top wide horizontal flange on said tub projecting a substantial distance outwardly of the outer tub side wall and including an outer depending portion, floor-engaging support panel means connected with said depending portion and supporting the outer side of the tub whereby the tub bottom wall, said drain fitting and trap, and drain pipe may all be spaced bodily above the floor, an overflow drainformed in said top horizontal flange, a generally vertical overflow tube connected with the overflow drain and extending close to the outer side wall of the tub externally thereof, a fitting on the first vertical leg of said drain fitting and trap and extending between the first and second legs thereof and directly connected to the lower end of the overflow drain tube and communicating with the first vertical leg immediately below the tub drain opening, a stopper for the tub drain opening, and a manually operable linkage connected with said stopper including parts extending inside of the drain tube and said fitting and trap and having an operating knob disposed within a recess of said top horizontal flange.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 336,797 2/1886 Day 4179 729,710 6/1903 Weaver 4-203 824,454 6/ 1906 Vanderman 4149 861,489 7/1907 Weaver 4-200 1,028,327 6/1912 Carter 4-199 1,512,919 10/1924 Fraser 4-202 1,854,578 4/1932 Catto 4-179 2,036,692 4/1936 Groeniger 4187 (Other references on following page) UNITED 7 8 STATES PATENTS 3,124,808 3/ 1964 Tiller 43 samemw 3,158,237 11/1964 Schooler 4148 X W1drnan 4-17 FOREIGN PATENTS Bagwell' 5 473,661 10/1915 France. Rodman 4-173 682,655 2/1930 France. Morris 4--199 1,138,189 1/1957 France.

Hobbs, 4-148 X M. CARY NELSON, Primary Examiner. Rodman -17 HENRY T. KLINKSIEK, LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Fleenor 4185 Examiners. 

